Health & Safety, An Introduction to

Vibration

Are you exposed to vibration?

Vibration from work with powered hand-held tools, equipment or processes can damage the hands and arms of users causing ‘hand-arm vibration syndrome’. This is a painful, irreversible condition which includes ‘vibration white finger’ and the effects can be impaired blood circulation, damage to the nerves and muscles, and loss of ability to grip properly.

Back damage can be caused by vibration from a vehicle or machine passing through the seat into the driver’s body through the buttocks – known as “whole-body vibration”. Whole body vibration can also be caused by standing on the platform of a vehicle or machine, so vibration passes into the operator through their feet.

Does this concern me?

Does anyone work with powered handtools such as angle grinders, needle guns, chipping hammers or concrete breakers?

Does anyone doing this work get tingling or numbness in the fingers or hands?

Does anyone often drive off-road machinery such as tractors, dumper trucks or excavators or unsuspended vehicles such as fork-lift trucks?

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